Article pickup device



Sept. 30, 1952 R FACIQ, 5 2,612,400

ARTICLE PICKUP DEVICE Filed Feb. 20, 1948 Robert Henry F acio, $r.-

INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 30, 1952 ARTICLE PICKUP DEVICE Robert Henry Facio, Sr., New Orleans, La., assignor of one-third to Julia Billings and onethird to Helen Pomes, both of New Orleans, La.

Application February 20, 1948, Serial No. 9,729

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a handling device and is particularly designed to avoid the necessity for stooping to pick up an article.

An object of the invention therefore, is to provide a device that will quickly and efficiently retrieve an object without the necessity for bending over.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device that is simple in construction, strong and durable, as well as capable of being manufactured at low cost.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device that is simple to operate and is light in construction and can be used to lift a large variety of articles.

With the above and other objects in view which will more fully appear, the nature of the invention will more clearly be understood by the description and claim, as well as the figures illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the device of the invention; and,

Figure 2 shows a fragmentary detail in side elevation of the device taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing, the device is indicated generally at H! and includes a handle l2, a fixed jaw l4 and a movable jaw 16. The jaw I 4 includes a medially depressed section l8 which parallels a similarly depressed section 28 in jaw 16. Thus a wider retaining area is provided in the event it is necessary to pick up a bulky object, such as a large ball, as well as a surface that will more eiiiciently retain the article. The jaw 14 is secured to handle 12 in any desired manner, such as by screw means 22 (see Fig. 2). A flat, metal bar 24, somewhat shorter in length than the stationary jaw I4 is mounted on the outer edge thereof at right angles thereto, by means of bolts or rivets 26.

A thrust rod 28 is slidably mounted on handle l2 and is journalled thereto by guide means 38 at several points along its length. Rod 28 terminates at its outer end in a relatively large loop 32 in order to enable the finger of the operator to grip the actuating means. The other end of rod 28 ends in an eye loop 34 to which a substantially U-shaped link 36 fastens. Link 36 includes a pair of eyes 38 at its open end to retain a pivot arm 40. Pivot arm 40 is of a single length of wire and consists of a pair of diverging arms 42 looped over at 44, as is best seen in Figure 1, and is mounted in movable jaw member l6. Arms 42 are integrally joined by a transverse rod 46 which passes through eye 38 of link 36.

Mounted in stationary jaw I4 is a substantially M-shapedstationary wire hinge 48. Hin e 48 consists of a pair of parallel arms 56 which are each bent at 52 to pass through loop 44 for a pivotal connection with arm 48, and extends inwardly at 54 to. be secured to handle l2 at 56.

A compression spring 58 is secured to the transverse rod 46 of pivot arm 40 at 68 and is retained on handle 12 by means of an eye screw 62.

From the above, the operation of the invention is readily understood. Handle I2 is grasped by the operator, a finger is inserted in the loop 32 and the rod 28 is pulled against the force of compression spring 58. Link 36 is moved by rod 28 and serves to act on pivot arm 48, which, being retained by the fixed hinge 48 pivots thereon to,

open position, as illustrated. The object is then positioned between both the jaw members, and rod 28 is released. Jaws l4 and I6 firmly grasp the article, and bar 24 assists in the retention of the article while the device is being lifted. While the jaws and handle are shown as being made of wood, any suitable material, such as metal, plastic or the like, may be employed.

It is of course to be understood that the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A grapple comprising an elongated handle, a transversely elongated stationary jaw on one end of said handle, a substantially M-shaped wire frame having its intermediate portion secured on the handle and its leg portions secured at their free ends to said stationary jaw, a substantially U-shaped wire lever mounted for swinging movement on the frame, the legs of said lever being angular and including loops at the angles thereof journaled on said intermediate portion of the frame adjacent the legs thereof, a swinging jaw mounted on the free end portions of the legs of the lever and cooperable with the stationary jaw, a coil spring connected to the bight portion of the lever for closing the swinging jaw, a substantially U-shaped link pivotally connected to said bight portion of said lever, and an operating rod slidably mounted on the handle and pivotally connected to the link for manually opening said swinging jaw.

' ROBERT HENRY FACIO, SR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

